LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Lexington Area Metropolitan Planning Organization's Transportation Policy Committee on Wednesday approved a resolution to fund Lextran's first-ever long-range transit plan, a comprehensive study designed to chart the future of public transportation in the region over the next 25 years.

The approval advances Resolution 2026-7, which amends the fiscal year 2027 unified planning work program, or UPWP—the operating budget that identifies how the MPO will spend federal planning dollars. The study will identify opportunities for expanding public transportation services, assess current demand and future growth patterns, and determine what service changes make sense for the region.

Lextran, which operates 25 fixed routes serving the Lexington urban area, will fund 80 percent of the estimated project cost through its federal Section 5307 urbanized area program funds. The transit authority has identified local matching funds for the remaining 20 percent.

The committee allocated $6,600 in general fund dollars to cover the MPO's share of staff costs for the study, rather than pursuing federal reimbursement through an extensive budget amendment process. The long-range transit plan is expected to extend into fiscal year 2028.

The approval came with no public opposition. The MPO conducted a minimum 15-day public comment period from August 7-24, during which no official comments were received. The committee also opened a public hearing during Wednesday's meeting, but no members of the public spoke on the matter.

The long-range transit plan represents a major undertaking for Lextran, which has previously completed studies examining specific corridors, such as an early 2014 analysis of bus rapid transit and rail options on Nicholasville Road. The new comprehensive plan will give the transit authority a blueprint for capital investments and service decisions across its entire network.

The committee also discussed the draft Lexington Area Transportation Improvement Program for fiscal years 2027-2030, which details projects and funding sources for regionally significant transportation investments. Committee staff noted that new state legislation—House Bill 542—will significantly impact right-of-way acquisition costs for transportation projects, with estimates suggesting at least a 50 percent cost increase and an additional one to two years for the right-of-way phase.